DK Pittsburgh Sports · Dec 16, 2019
Report: Pirates sign catcher Maile
The Pirates are in agreement with free agent catcher Luke Maile for a major league contract, according to a report by Jon Heyman.
Luke Maile is signing MLB deal with Pirates. The free agent catcher had been with Jays.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 16, 2019
Terms of the deal have not been announced.
Maile was considered one of the best backup catchers in 2018, combining a .700 OPS with great pitch framing skills to be worth 2.1 WAR in 68 games played. However, his bat took a significant turn for the worse in 2019, and he recorded a .440 OPS in 129 plate appearances.
He was non-tendered by the Blue Jays on Dec. 2.
More to come.